IDK is playing the rap game on his own terms.
Born Jason Aaron Mills in London before migrating to the States as a child, IDK—which is the acronym for “Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge”—spent his early years watching the greats play before working on his own technique. No longer a rookie, he’s ready for all the titles. Growing up in Maryland, Mills was always around basketball—he played it at a decent level, but music was always the path for him. Of course, the two have gone hand-in-hand since forever.
The rapper, producer and singer-songwriter’s first notable foray into the world of basketball was when he scored the soundtrack to NBA star Kevin Durant’s documentary, Basketball County: In The Water, in 2020. Beyond the Maryland connection, it feels fitting to compare IDK’s career to that of Durant’s—someone who faced much adversity to get to where he is today.
From sitting in jail aged 17 looking at an 80-year sentence for armed robbery, to deciding to move into music and make a respectable name in the industry, IDK’s journey has been pretty incredible. Now, aged 29, with a solid catalogue of music to his name, IDK boasts plenty of plaudits and has worked with some of the greats—from the late DMX to Tyler, The Creator, Young Thug to Burna Boy. IDK’s content, while fitting perfectly into today’s landscape of melody and trap, remains conscious, unafraid to tackle tough subject matter such as wrestling with religion and past traumas, to how the political landscape feels to him as a Black man in America.
Hot on the heels of his 2021 album, USEE4URSELF, he once again finds himself back on the court, this time with a new single as part of the NBA 2K22 soundtrack. We caught up with IDK to discuss the dichotomy between rappers and ballers, being a London boy living the American dream, and what he loves most about the NBA 2K franchise.
IDK’s “Santa Monica Blvd” track was included in ‘First Fridays’, which sees new songs added to the NBA 2K22 soundtrack every Friday throughout the season. Check out the latest music in-game on the soundtrack and at Club 2K. NBA 2K22 is available now on PS4 and PS5.
COMPLEX: Your song “Santa Monica Blvd” is featured on the NBA 2K22 soundtrack, which is a really great look. How did the connection come about?
IDK: I remember: it was, like, 2019, and I made it a goal of mine to be in NBA 2K for the first time, and I got cool with Mike—I forgot his last name—but he’s a guy that used to work up there. I was cool with him on Instagram. I was like, “Look. I’ll come up to the office and meet you.” And from there, our relationship became what it was. So, you know, we’ve been in the game for the past three years now.
How nice are you on NBA 2K?
Truthfully, I’m not the greatest player. I think a lot of any skill that I have comes from playing it for years—since I was younger. But I know so many people who are better than me so I have to be honest and say that I’m not that nice.
Have you played NBA 2K with any of your rapper friends? If so, who’s the nicest that you’ve played against—and, be honest: who won?
I don’t remember, but I’ve watched KD play—all day, for hours—and I feel like he’s the nicest person I know, in general.
You grew up in Maryland, but a lot of people might not know that you were born in England. Do you feel any affinity to London? Is it special when you come out here?
I feel like it’s special when I come to London because, you know, the roots of where I’m from definitely exist there. I’m very proud of the fact that I have two passports. I think that’s cool. It’s an interesting fact that many people don’t know about me. But yeah, I feel good when I come out there—there’s a lot of family that I visit and there’s a particular vibe, musically, that we don’t have in America.
Are you tapped into the British music scene? Anyone you’d potentially collaborate with?
Yeah, I love the British music scene. Pa Salieu is somebody I’ve been listening to for a while!
Over the years, we’ve heard many rappers say they had two options growing up: rap, or aim for the league. Was it the same for you?
No. I think going to school was an option because my parents went to school and had degrees, and that’s what they pushed on me. So I had that in my mind, to be honest.
What do you think, if any, are the transferable skills between rap and basketball?
I think, from problem-solving, strategically putting things together in a fast manner and working with a team, they’re all transferable things.
If you played pro ball, what would be your position?
I would probably be a point guard or shooting guard.
What’s the rap starting 5, and what positions do they play?
I’ve played ball with 21 Savage, Quavo and a few other people. I think Quavo would be a good point guard, me shooting guard… Damn! Who else would be good? Who’s tall? I don’t know. Anyway, all rappers are short. I have to come back to that question.
Who’s the best rap-basketball player that you’ve come across?
That I’ve come across and actually played with? I’d say Pressa. I played with Pressa at 24Hour Fitness in North Hollywood and he was pretty good. I didn’t even know who he was—I didn’t know him as a rapper. He was just good when I played against him.
If you were on an NBA team, which team would it be and why?
If I were on an NBA team, I would probably play with the Lakers because it is the best franchise in basketball history.
What is it about musicians that athletes idolise and vice versa?
I think it’s the ability to do something that we both think is very hard. But it’s very easy for us, you know? So seeing someone make music as a basketball player probably seems challenging, fun, and cool. And then seeing someone play basketball is also a similar thing.
Tell me more about SubTrap.
SubTrap is a project that I put out many years ago that is basically trap music from my perspective as a suburban kid.
Where does IDK fit in amongst today’s rap music industry?
I don’t know if I fit in with anybody. I think I’m cool with everybody, but I think I’ve been focused on creating my world and inviting people if they want to come and hang out.
What do you have coming that we should be tapping into this year?
This new album that’s about to come out any day now!